THE SINGLE FIN MINGLE RETURNS TO SUMMER
The Single Fin Mingle returns to Sumner, Christchurch this weekend after the event was postponed by covid four months ago. The Mingle is a retro, two-day surfing festival. While the focus of the event is a longboarding surf competition, it also hosts an art exhibition, film festival and live music performances.
The event is now in its sixth year. In March, Sumner local and event organiser Ambrose McNeill was forced to postpone the Mingle just a week out when the government introduced a ban on gatherings larger than 500 people. Now in July, Ambrose is stoked to welcome the event back to Sumner as a ‘Mid-Winter Mingle.’ “This year’s event will be a Single Fin Mingle like no other. While it was heart-breaking to postpone the March date, we are over the moon to bring the event back to Sumner,” says Ambrose. The Mingle is normally held in March and attracts a large contingent of visiting surfers from around the world. This year, with the country’s borders closed, the Mingle will be contested by 72 Kiwi surfers.
Ambrose says the surfing at the Mingle is “traditional style longboarding.” The surfboards ridden in the event have to be longer than nine feet, weigh more than eight kilograms and have just one fin. “Longboard surfing is all about style and the event is a testament to that in and out of the water. The culture of longboarding is really special and there few activities that break down age, gender, cultural barriers as well as longboarding.” The Single Fin Mingle welcomes the public to Scarborough Beach to enjoy the surfing on Saturday and Sunday from 8am-2pm. Ambrose says attendees can look forward to impressive surfing and a vibrant atmosphere. “I think it’s going to bring out the best longboarding New Zealand has seen. We’ll also have jazz, live commentary, Allpress coffee and delicious food available on the Esplanade.”
Another traditional aspect of the event is the attire. Each year, surfers and attendees are encouraged to don retro clothing for the event. “Mingle attire has always been extremely important and the Mingle Best Dressed Award is fiercely contested. This year, in the middle of winter, I’m excited to see some furs, tweeds and wooly hats.” The public are also invited to attend the art exhibition at the LEstrange Gallery all weekend and the prize giving at the Sumner Surf Life Saving Club at 5pm on Sunday.
Shot over consecutive mornings during the long, recent run of North Coast autumn swell, In the Family of Things is Dave Rastovich in his element, doing his thing.